Alarm mechanism for distribution systems.



J. D. NELSON.

ALARM MECHANISM FOR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED PEB.9, 1911.

1,121,593. Patented Dec. 15,1914.

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s'rarns JAMES D. unison, or CINCINNATI, OHIO.

ALARM MECHANISM FOR DISTRIBUTION SY$TEMS.

Specification of Iletters Patent.

Patented Dec. 15, 1914.

Application filed February 9, 1911. Serial No. 607,538.

apparatus to which it is attached.

Various devices are employed in connection with pressure distribution systems of automatic fire extinguishing sprinklers for indicating variations of pressure in the system, or variations of flow through the system, or that the valves of the system are in the correct position. It is, however, essential to providemeans for transmitting a fire alarmsignal, when'a flow takes place through the system, which will not transmit a false alarm due to variations of pressure or other variations in the system.

An object of my invention is to produce an alarm device for indicating a flow in the distribution system of an automatic fire extinguishing sprinkler, which will not transmit signals in response to variations of pressure other than those caused by a" flow through the system.

A further object is to produce an alarm mechanism, which will automatically transmit an alarm signal, in response to a flow of water through the distribution main of an automatic sprinkler system, and will transmit an all right signal when the flow has ceased.

These and other objects, I attain by means of a device embodying the features herein described, and illustrated in the drawings accompanying this application and forming a part thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a clock mechanism and controlling device, which forms a detail of my invention, and Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view of an alarm mechanism, embodying my invention, in connection with a sectional view of a portion of a distributingmain of an auto- I matic sprinkler system.

The apparatus illustrated as an embodiment of my invention, consists of electrical transmission apparatus, a clock mechanism for controlling the operation of the transmission apparatus, pressure responsive means for controlling the operation of the clock mechanism, and means for rendering the pressure responsive means inoperative,

with respect to the clock mechanism, except for variationsof pressure in the distribution system, occasioned by a flow through the system.

The pressure responsivemeans illustrated, consists of a reservoir 4, located exterior to the main 5 of the distribution system, a diffuser 6 connected with the reservoir by means of tubing 7, and a float 8 located in the reservoir and adapted to move in response to variations in the level of the liquid contained within reservoir and the communicating tubing.

The diffuser consists of a flaring nozzle provided with a hollow stem 9, which projects downwardly into a vertical leg 10 of the tubing, which is located within themain 5. The diffuser points in the direction of the flow through the distributing main, and its greatest diameter is a little less than the diameter of the main, so that it is capable of moving from an inoperative position to an operative position, during periods of flow, and from an operat1ve to an'inop-.

erati've position, during periods of no flow. A slidingfit is provided between the stem 9 and the leg 10 of the tubing 7, so that without breaking the connection between the the di'lfuser can move to different positions,

stem 9 and the tubing 7. ,The main 5 is enlarged in diameter by interposi'ng a partially spherical casing 12 at a-point immediately adjacent to-the diffuser 6. A'thin bar or spider '13 extends across the casing 12 and forms a seatfor the diffuser when it is located in the'operative position.

The reservoir 4 and the communicating tubing 7 are preferably filled with mercury, and the reservoir is so-positioned relmain 5, that the mercury level normally stands at some point, such as 14, in the tub- I to the upper end of a lever 16 and imparts the reciprocating motion of the float to the lever- During normal conditlons, or during per-1- -ative to the normal water pressure in the with a stem 15, which is pivotally connected ods of no flow in the main 5, the diffuser 6 is so located in the main, that it substan- 3O fuser, and, consequently, in the tubing above tially closes oil the main, so that it is impossible for a flow to take place through the. main, without moving the diffuser. When one of the sprinklers of the distribution system is opened, or a flow takes place through the main 5, due to any other cause, the reduction of water pressure on the downstream side of the diiluser 6, causes the water pressure on the upstream side, or below the diffuser 6, to preponderate andto movethe diffuser into the casing 12, where it is held by the flow of water through the casing against the spider 13, the flow taking place through the casing, around the edges of the difiuser. 'ilhe drop in the pressure, due to the'flow through the easing, causes the level of the mercury 111 the tubing 10 to rise, and also causes the level of the mercury in the reservoir 4 to recede. In addition to this, the casing 12 and the diiluser 6 are so designed, that the passage for the water through the casing, around the edge of the diiiuser, is slightly restricted, so that the pressure at that point will be reduced, due to the increased velocity of flow, below the pressure existing at otherpoints in the main. This,

together with the ejector action of the water passing the mouth of the difiuser,-re-

duces the pressure at the mouth. of the difthe mercury, considerably below the pressure existing throughout the main, and

causes a resultant depression of the level of the mercury in the reservoir, and, lowers the float 8. I

The float controls the operation of a clock 'mechanism 17, through the agency of the i lever 16, by-inoving the lug 18 on the lever into and outof engagement with stops pro-' vided on awheel 19, which forms a part of the clock mechanism. During periods of no flow through the main 5, the float 8 occupies such a position, relative to the clock mech anism, that the lug 18 contacts with a stop 20 on the wheel 19. 20 is released, by lowering the lug 18, out

As soon as the stop of contact with it, the clockmechanism turns which are located on its periphery, and are.

- signalwheel 21 .and actuates a make and break device 22, to transmit an alarm signal. The signal wheel is provided with stops 23,

adaptedto engage a projecting arm of the "Lmake and-break device 22; A stop 24 located on the wheel 19 at such a position that it will engage the lug 18 in the lowered position, afterthe wheel has turnedthrough a predetermined portion ofits revolution,

and after thesignal wheel 21 has transmitted adistinct alarmsignal, which may he variedflby varying the arrangement and position of the stops 23 on the signal wheel and normal conditions are again estab- 21. When the flow ceases throughthe main lished, the mercury level in the reservoir 4 ,with" the interior o1 the casing 12.

be lifted. This will raise the lug 18 out of engagement with the stop 2 1 and into the path oi travel of the stop 20. 'As soon as the stop 21 is released, the clock mechanism will operate to transmit an all fright signal, and will he stopped and held in the normal position by the engagement of the stop 20 with the lug 18. The stops 23 and the wheel 21 may be so arranged, that the all right signal differs from the alarm signal, so that it can be easily distinguished, and the connecting gear trains between the wheels 19 and 21, are so arranged that the wheel 21 will turn, so as to send the alarm signal, while the wheel 19 is turning from the position in which the stop 20-engages the lug 18, to the position in which the stop engages the lug 18. I I

It will be apparent that a change in pressure within the main 5, will cause the level ot the mercury 11113116 reservoir 1, to change its position, whether the changeof pressure is due .to a flow through the main, or not. For this reason, I have provided means, which prevents the, float 15 and the intervening lever 16 from releasing the lug 20,-

except when a flow takes place throughithe main. I provide a pivotally mounted frame 26 tor the clock work mechanism, Wl'llClllS caused to occupy different positions, corresponding to variations of pressure within the main vby a pressure actuated. dia

phragrn 27, which isexposed on one side tothe Water pressure within the main, and which supports an arm 28 of the frame 26. The diaphragm 27, illustrated, is shown as forming apart of the wall of a chamber 29,

which communicates through a passageBO, The passage 30 may commun cate with any convenient portion of the main 5, and the pres- I i sure in the chamber will vary, in response to .variations of pressure within the main. If the'pressure within the main -isreduced by any cause other than a flow through'the main, the diaphragm 27 will permit the frame 26, and, consequently, the clock mechanism, to lower with the float 8, and, consequently,'the clock mechanism will not he re-v leased and will not transmit an alarm signal. During period of flow, the chamber 29, and,

consequently, the diaphragm 27, are sub- I jected toflthe reduction of pressure 00-,

casionedEby the How through the main, but

the mercury in the tubing 7 issubjected to the additional reduction, caused by there:

stricted passage for the water, around the edge of the diffuser 6, and by the {ejector action of the water passing'the diffuser, and, consequently, the'float Swill continue to move downwardly, afterthe frame 26 has v come-to a position of rest. I

The frame is shown in the drawings pro vided with an'adjustahle weight 32, audit;

will be understood that the position of the arm. 28, relative to the pivotal point of the frame 26, is such, that the frame and the float will move in exact synchronism, in response to variations of pressure, caused by conditions other than flows through the main 5. With this arrangement, thelower device will transmit an alarm signal, when a flow takes place through the main, and will remain inoperative during periods of no flow. When the flow through the main has ceased, the float 8 and the frame 26 will attain their normal relative positions, irrespective of the existing pressures within the main, and will transmit the all right signal, as has been described.

In the drawings, I have shown the portion of the main 5, in which the difi'user is located, extending vertically, so that the diffuser moves to the normal or inoperative position by its own weight, after the flow through the main has ceased and the water pressure on both sides'of the'difli'user are equalized. It will be apparent that any suitable means, such, for example, as a spring may be employed for moving the difiuser to the normal position,after.the How, and that various changes may be made in the apparatus, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim is:-

1. In combination with a distribution system, an alarm device, a flow responsive means comprising a diffuser located in said system and subjected to variations of pressure, and means responsive to variations of pressure to which said diffuser is subjected for controlling the operation of said alarm device.

2. In combination with a distributionsystem, an alarm device, flow responsive means, comprising a diffuser, subjected to the flow through said main, and pressure responsive means communicating with said-diffuser for controlling said alarm device, and pressure responsive means, responsive to variations of pressure within said system for rendering said flow responsive means inoperative, except in response to variations caused by flows through said system.

3. In combination with a distribution system, an alarm device, flow responsive means comprising a diiiuser mounted in said system, a mercurycolumn communicating with said diffuser and float actuated means for controlling the operation of said alarm device, and a pressure responsive means for means communicating with a restricted portion of said distribution system for actuating said device, and pressure actuated means communicating with an unrestricted portion ofsaid system for rendering said first mentioned means inactive, except in response to variations caused by flows through said system.

The combination in adistribution system of an alarm device, a diffuser for restricting the flow through the system, means .communlcat ng with the restricted portion of the system for. actuating the alarm device, and pressure actuated means communieating with an unrestricted portion of the system for rendering the first mentioned -means inactive in actuating the alarm device, except in response to variations in pressure caused by flows through the system.

7 In combination 1n a distribution system, an alarm device, means, subjected to a reduction of pressure occasioned by an ejector action of the water flowing through the system, for actuating the alarm device, and means subjected to the static or head pressure within the system for rendering the first mentioned means inactive, except in response to variations caused by flows through the system.

8. In combination with a distribution system, an alarm device, means responsive to variations in pressure, occasioned by variations in flow through thesystem, for actuating said device, and means, responsive to static or head pressure, for rendering said first-mentioned means inactive, except in response to variations in pressure occasioned by flows through the system.

9. In combination with a distribution system, an alarm device comprising a clock mechanism, a signal wheel actuated by the mechanism, and an alarm device controlled by the signal wheel, means for engaging stops provided in the clock mechanism and for thereby controlling the operation of the signal wheehpressure responsive means for controlllng the operat1on of said first-mentioned means and means responsive to variations in static or head pressure within the system, for shifting the position of the clock mechanism in conjunction with variations in the position of said first-mentioned means, and for thereby rendering said firstmentioned means inactive, except in re sponse to variations in pressure occasioned by flows through the system.

10. In combination with a distribution system, an alarm device, controlling means for controlling the operation of the alarm devlce, a diffuser for occasioning variations lingthe' operation of said controlling means and pressurev responsive means responsive to variations in pressure Within the system,

for shifting the position ofthe" alarm device 10 and for thereby rendering the controlling means inactive, except in response to flows through the system.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by eddre'ssingthe Commissioner of Patents;

' Washington, D. 0 v V 

